BRONX — Geneva Jarvis and Denise Jarvis were arrested and charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, depraved indifference assault, and endangering the welfare of an incompetent person. Police took the two women into custody at approximately 8:40 a.m. on Thursday in connection with the death of their 16-year-old son.

The charges stem from the March 19 death of Adonis Jarvis, who was pronounced dead at Lincoln Hospital. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the teenager's death a homicide, citing chronic neglect that included starvation and dehydration. At the time of his death, Adonis weighed 60 pounds.

Adonis Jarvis was a 16-year-old with autism. Law enforcement described both Adonis and his twin brother as nonverbal and having autism. When emergency responders arrived to transport the twins to the hospital, police stated that both boys exhibited signs of chronic neglect, starvation, and dehydration. Officers also noted that the teenagers had sores on their bodies.

The surviving twin was hospitalized for starvation and dehydration but survived the ordeal. He is currently recovering at a rehabilitation facility. The family resided in a third-floor walkup apartment on East 147th Street in the Bronx.

Photos of the apartment taken during the investigation showed debris, garbage, and filthy conditions. The images documented missing bathroom tiles and a soiled mattress. Building superintendent Dennis stated that the apartment was filled with garbage and clothes, and that the tenant did not allow entry for repairs. Dennis also stated that the family placed Adonis Jarvis in the hallway when calling an ambulance.

Neighbor Christine Valentin stated she saw the twins on a school bus previously and did not observe signs of alarm. Geneva Jarvis and Denise Jarvis were held without bail following their arraignment.

Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark addressed the case in a statement regarding the accusations against the mothers. "These two women failed in their duty and responsibility to care for these boys. One child has died. The other faces a lengthy recovery," Clark said.

The Administration for Children's Services is investigating the incident with the NYPD. ACS spokesperson Marisa Kaufman commented on the agency's role in the ongoing probe. "The safety and well-being of New York City’s children is our top priority. We are investigating this tragic incident with the NYPD," Kaufman said.

The arrest of Geneva Jarvis and Denise Jarvis represents a fatal case of alleged chronic neglect involving vulnerable children with disabilities. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner's homicide ruling reflects the severity of the starvation and dehydration that led to Adonis Jarvis's death. The survival of his twin brother, who remains in critical recovery at a rehabilitation facility, indicates the prolonged nature of the conditions both boys endured.

The joint investigation by the Administration for Children's Services and the NYPD points to a multi-agency review of how the case was handled. Questions remain regarding the extent of prior involvement by child welfare services with the family and the duration the twins were subjected to the squalid conditions described by building management and documented in apartment photographs. The charges of second-degree murder and endangering the welfare of an incompetent person reflect the legal system's response to the alleged failure of caretakers.